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Kriya Yoga is a practical experience using the chakras, pranic pathways, breathing practices, sound vibrations, psychic gestures and energy locks to unfold the subtle layers of one’s own being. Swami Muktibodhananda Saraswati, author, international renowned yogacharaya and yoga practitioner since the age of 12, brings the ancient practice of Kriya Yoga to New Zealand.

The word kriya means 'activity' or 'movement' and refers to the activity or movement of consciousness. It involves a powerful combination of yoga, pranayama (breathing practices), mudra (psychic gestures), bandha (energy locks) and meditation and has the capacity to quickly evolve the practitioner.

This retreat explores the chakras and energy pathways using the meditation exercises of Kriya Yoga and will be integrated with daily hatha yoga, relaxation and chanting classes in a stunning natural location. You will be initiated into the Kriyas in a safe way, with practical applications for your daily life.

Kriya Yoga is a doorway to self-reflection, helping the practitioner to understand the unconscious layers of the mind and its monkey nature, propounding a pathway to peace and well-being.

A distinctive feature of Kriya Yoga is that the concentration is not forced, but spontaneously arises as a consequence of the practice. With regular application of the techniques, an alignment of the physical, mental and energetic forces takes place, awakening a subtle perception of one’s own self. This change in perspective enhances the ability to manage outside events and experiences with more wisdom and balance.

Benefits of Kriya Yoga include:

- Purification of unconscious conditioning, gradually freeing the mind from negativity, fears, false ideas.
- Dynamic relaxation, which allows one to access hidden reservoirs of prana or vital energy.
- Access to and exploration of the deeper layers of the mind.
- Fine tuning the awareness so that it becomes spontaneously one-pointed and tuned to the present moment.
- Reshaping the activities of the mind to eventually bring about a state of equanimity or tranquility.
- Transformation of negative emotions into more positive energy.